Textbook Notes- City- States

    Today in class, Mr. Schick was not feeling good and told us to take notes on the Warring City- States pages in our textbooks. I noted some things in my book. The Dorian period caused a decline in Greek civilization causing them to identify with less culture and a changed government. A polis is a fundamental political unit in ancient Greece. It is made up of the city and surrounding countryside. An agora is a marketplace and an acropolis is a fortified hilltop where citizens gathered to discuss the government. City- states had varied governments such as a monarchy, aristocracy, and oligarchy. A monarchy is the ruling of a single person, usually king. An aristocracy is ruled by rich landowners. An oligarchy is ruled by a few powerful people who were unsatisfied with the aristocratic rule. Tyrants seized control of the government by appealing to common people for support. Tyrants were not considered harsh and cruel back then, and were looked upon as leaders. Athenians chose to perform a democracy to avoid big political upheavals. A democracy is rule by the people.